Cairn: The Game Bakers' rock-climbing sim makes climbing feel like combat

Cairn, a new rock-climbing sim from Montpellier studio The Game Bakers, is out now on PlayStation 5 and Windows PC, according to a Polygon review published Jan. 29, 2026. The review says Cairn is less a lighthearted physical comedy and more a tense, tactical ascent — comparing it to Baby Steps and Don’t Nod’s Jusant, but arguing that "in Cairn, climbing is combat." Each rock face becomes a high-stakes, heart-in-the-mouth struggle where save points feel nearly as precious as a Dark Souls bonfire.

Gameplay is limb-by-limb: you move Aava’s hands and feet in turn, search the rock for holds, and manage stamina, stability and grip. You can place self-drilling pitons for safety unless you choose the hardcore Free Solo permadeath mode; pitons and other supplies like food, water and daylight are treated as scarce resources.

The game communicates Aava’s condition through sound, animation and controller rumble rather than visible meters — a dark iris even closes when a fall is imminent. Polygon notes the game’s pacing varies, with punishing climbs mixed with easier passages, cave exploration and unexpected story beats.

Cairn cultivates a lonely alpinist mood — finding clues from past climbers and abandoned troglodyte remains — but also inserts human moments, from an annoying social-media manager to a fanboy climber and a curt message about a dying cat, suggesting focus comes with human cost.

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